College

First Advisor

Subject(s)

Disciplines

Special Education and Teaching

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a parent resource center, with related activities, on the parental participation of special needs children. Surveys consisting of seven questions were used as the initial data collecting instrument. Thirty-five parents received these surveys. Twenty-one parent surveys were returned. Information gathered here yielded percentages of parental participation during the last school year (1994-95).

Personal interviews were accomplished at school, at homes or by telephone at the discretion of the parents. These percentages gave numbers for the present school year (1995-1996).

When results from the survey and the interviews were compiled the following results were shown.

(1) Use of the parent resource center by parents of special needs students increased by 33% for this school year, as compared to last school year

(2) The indicators with percentages remaining the same or nearly the same for both school years were:

a. Parents feel welcome at school.

b. Parents participating as room mothers or volunteers.

c. Parents who chaperone trips.

d. Parents who attend Back to School Night.

Results show we see many of the same parents participating each year.

(3) Results for two questions involving parental participation at conferences and after school activities were questionable. It became obvious during the personal interviews that some questions had been misunderstood on the written survey.

Within one year, with basically the same number of participants in most activities, the parent center showed a positive increase of 33 percent. With time and strengthening and lengthening the outreaches and directions of the center, the writer feels that a parent center can be a means to a much needed and desired end.

(1) Use of the parent resource center by parents of special needs students increased by 33% for this school year, as compared to last school year

(2) The indicators with percentages remaining the same or nearly the same for both school years were:

a. Parents feel welcome at school.

b. Parents participating as room mothers or volunteers.

c. Parents who chaperone trips.

d. Parents who attend Back to School Night.

Results show we see many of the same parents participating each year.

(3) Results for two questions involving parental participation at conferences and after school activities were questionable. It became obvious during the personal interviews that some questions had been misunderstood on the written survey.

Recommended Citation

O'Donald, Anne S., "Increasing the involvement of parents of special needs children by establishing a parent resource center" (1996). Theses and Dissertations. 2192.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/2192